Karmichael Hunt's burgeoning AFL career took another few strides forward on Saturday when he was announced as part of the Gold Coast Suns' seven-man leadership group for 2012.
The rugby league convert joins captain Gary Ablett, young guns David Swallow and Zac Smith, experienced pair Michael Rischitelli and Nathan Bock and rookie-listed recruit Andrew McQualter as the Suns' officially recognized leaders.
Hunt's elevation is possibly the most significant milestone yet since he swapped Steeden for Sherrin.
The code-hopper exceeded most expectations of him in his 16 games for Gold Coast last season, though he tired late in the season - leading coach Guy McKenna to label him physically 'cooked'.
But above all else, it has been his conduct off-field that has drawn the respect of his teammates - and he said he was honoured that they elected him into the leadership group.
"It's a privilege to be voted in by the boys as a leader," Hunt said at the club's official season launch function at Carrara.
"I'm just one of seven of us and we're an extension of the team. We're the public face of the team but in terms of internally, we're going to go about our business as we always do and setting a high standard on and off the field."
As expected, former deputy vice captain Campbell Brown was not named in the group after his involvement in a bar-room brawl in Thailand over the off-season.
The unveiling of the Suns' new pack of leaders came straight after their intra-club trial at Metricon Stadium - and again, Hunt was star of the show.
The former Broncos fullback pushed his case for more time in midfield, spending the entirety of his afternoon in engine room alongside Ablett and Swallow for the victorious 'red' team.
Having trimmed down significantly over the past few months, Hunt was not only quicker and more agile, but his understanding of the game has also clearly developed.
He won several clearances, evaded heavy traffic with a new sense of ease and looked a far better player than what he did 12 months ago when he began as a lock-down defender.
The 25-year-old made it clear that midfield is where he wants to stay - starting with Gold Coast's involvement in the NAB Cup next weekend.
"I definitely feel a lot more comfortable there," he said.
"It's a natural progression that I would as the months went by. I enjoy being around the ball and trying to attack it, and feed it off to the boys outside."
"In my make-up I'm more of a reaction player so being in the midfield, hunting the ball and going after it, I feel more comfortable."
"The focus today was to just get through the game and get involved, and thankfully I was able to get my hands on the ball and it felt good being in the middle."
Teen sensation Jaeger O'Meara, who has been given special permission to play in the NAB Cup, had the ball on a string in the internal trial fixture and not once looked out of place.
In attack, Nathan Bock was a commanding presence with his four goals, while Charlie Dixon was terrific in the ruck against rising star Smith.